A wooden deck now links the five cars as renovations proceed inside and out.

Trussville restaurant Trio's is opening a sports bar in the engine with an outdoor smoker to make barbecue for weekend events. Trio's will also operate a kitchen in the second car and the third car -- a flat platform -- will host live musical acts, said Trio's owner, John Bruce.

The restaurant this week submitted its plans to the Jefferson County Health Department for approval.

"It'll be a cool little adventure. I'm hoping we can get started in six to eight weeks, depending on what the health department does," Bruce said.

Developers had hoped to have completed renovations of the train cars by now, but Christina Dayton, administrative assistant to developer Mark Gold, said weather prevented that.

"We're hoping it stays pretty," Dayton said. "We've got a lot of metal work and painting still to do."

Outside the train cars, the blue awnings that once hung outside the shopping center are on the ground. Dayton said they plan to give the exterior a facelift but all of the details have yet to be decided on.

"It hasn't been picked out, but it's going to be more old-fashioned window shutters and doors," Dayton said.

Tenants are still being sought for the another train car and a doughnut and coffee shop is planned for the caboose.

Workers are also busy renovating the existing shopping center and 'coming soon' signs are in most of the windows.

Locomotive, LLC, which does everything from making custom T-shirts to making and selling motorized bicycles, has been open for three months in the renovated center.

"Mark Gold has done a wonderful job with those trains and when the restaurants get here it's going to be a great thing for Irondale," said co-owner Regina Marko.

Marko said she's also eager to see plans for a zip line come to fruition. Dayton said she wasn't sure when that would happen.

"I hope I'm the first one on it," Marko said.

Next to Locomotive, a primary care doctor's office opened in February. A few doors down, a sign teases the opening of Shuga's Southern Home Cooking, although Dayton said the name might be changing. A business called Weight Loss for Life has leased another of the spots.

On one side of Irondale institution Gus's Hot Dogs, a sign says Farmer's Insurance Group will soon be moving in. On the other, Sports Station opened a few months back.

A few doors down, Deja Vogue Consignment Boutique is in its second week of business. Business has been slower than they would like, the manager said, but she attributed that to the ongoing Interstate 20 project and a possible misconception that the stores aren't open because of the ongoing construction.

Just past the offices of city police, inspections and water departments, signs say Snap Fitness and Freek on a Leesh pet boutique are coming soon.